Top 5 Jungle Treks in Maharashtra

 Andharban Trek:

Andharban with its literal meaning as ‘Dark Forest’ is a trek through the dense wood of Sahyadri mountains. One of the unique facts about Andharban trek is its descending trail. You start your journey from an elevation of 2,160 ft in the range of Sahyadri and descend towards the valleys and waterfalls. You come across the Devkund Waterfall, Tamhini Ghat and Plus Valley on your 13 km stretched trail.

This Jungle Trek offers a wide range of experience with flora and fauna. Especially during monsoon season, you get to see the blooming flora and many habitat birds of the Sahyadri. Also, numerous water streams line your trekking trail. Andharban Trek located in the Pimpri village of Maharashtra in Tamhini ghats is a wonderland for a jungle trek.

Trek Distance: 13 Km

Trek Altitude: 2,160 ft

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Season: June-September and October-January.

Distance from Mumbai: 140 km

 Rajmachi Fort:

Rajmachi Trek is popular for offering views of not one but two of the famous hill stations Lonavala and Karjat in all its glory. a view of the west and Shrivardhan Fort offering a view of the east. The beautiful trekking trail of Rajmachi used to be a trade route between the two cities of Mumbai and Pune. Furthermore, Rajmachi was located so that it gives an entire view of that route making it easier for strategic planning and battle preparation.

You can not only just see the route but an entirety of famous places like Dhak Bahiri, Bhimashankar, Lonavala, Karjat, Kataldhar, Valvan Dam, Tungarli Dam, Monkey hill and others. The plunging valleys along the 16 km trek route with rivers like Ulhas River makes the landscape all the more stunning from the twin fort.

Trek Distance: 16 Km

Trek Altitude: 2,710 ft

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Best Season: All around the year.

Distance from Mumbai: 125 km

 Matheran:

Matheran is your one stop with its natural vistas and thrilling adventurous activities at a distance of 95 km from Mumbai. Trekking in Matheran is truly an enriching experience for all the people who would choose mountains over beaches. This hill station offers many trekking trails like Chanderi caves, Garbett Plateau and Kalavantin Peak to conquer.

The misty weather and surreal environment of the hill station makes each of the trekking trails pleasant and immensely beautiful with the views of the landscapes. The stunning view of the Western Ghats from your trekking trails and forests filled with colourful birds will definitely leave you in awe. You can choose to explore the long forgotten caves with rich history or traverse through offbeat paths with beautiful waterfalls to quench the thrill.

Trek Distance: 8 Km

Trek Altitude: 2,625ft

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Best Season: October to February

Distance from Mumbai: 95 km

 Ratangad Fort:

 Ratangad Fort is one of the extraordinary structures nestled in the hills of Western Ghats at an altitude of 4255 ft. The trail to the Ratangad is mostly an ascent combined with forest walk and ladder climbing. You need good grip hiking boots to navigate on the Ratangad Fort trek in the monsoon season.

The journey toward Ratangad fort starts with the Pravara river and you will see Ratangad Temple. From this temple you can see the magnificent Ratangad. You can also see Bhandardara Dam from Ratangad Temple. The iconic Nedhe of Ratangad, a natural rock formation at the top, will greet you among the views of dense forest. The trek route through these thick forests consist of many natural treats like blooming flora of Karvi, Sonki and Barka. The trek route of Ratangad placed between the thick forest of Harishchandragad Kalsubai Wildlife Sanctuary gives you ample chances to explore the woods.

 Trek Distance: 6 Km

Trek Altitude: 4,255 ft

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best Season: October to February

Distance from Mumbai: 197 km

 Karla Caves:

 Karla Caves houses 16 mountain caves cut through rocks from the 2nd century. Known for its exemplary rock cut caves in Maharashtra, Karla Caves trail is mostly through Rocky Mountains and forest path. Used for ancient trade routes from and to Arabian sea also provided shade for the travelers. These excavated caves have a long history of Buddhist culture and you can even find some monastery on its path. This trek route in the Sahyadri range of mountains has some beautiful views of the landscape.

Trek Distance: 9 Km

Trek Altitude: 3,389 ft

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Season: September to February

Distance from Mumbai: 94 km